What Proof of woof is, and why we ask for it
When you join Packmates, we ask for one slightly silly photo: you and your dog, together. Here is why, what happens to it, and what it doesn't do.
Let us be honest. Asking strangers to take a selfie with their dog sounds a little daft. It is also one of the things we are proudest of, so we would like to explain it properly.
Packmates only works if the people on it are real, and the dogs are too. The sort of person who walks dogs with other people is almost always lovely, but a noticeboard that anyone can fill with made-up profiles is not much use to anyone. Proof of woof is one of the simple ways we help keep it honest.
What Proof of woof actually is
It is one photo, taken in the app, of you with your dog. You take it once as part of joining. That is the whole thing.
- What it is
- A quick selfie of you and your dog.
- Who sees it
- It stays private. It is not shown on your profile or on walks.
- What it is for
- Confirming there is a real person and a real dog.
- How often
- Once, when you join.
It is not a profile picture, not a public photo, and not something other members browse. You will not see anyone else's, and they will not see yours.
Why we ask for it
Because meeting new people for a walk requires a bit of trust, and trust is easier when the basics are in place. We want the person you are arranging a walk with to be exactly who they say they are: a real person, with a real dog, who has taken a moment to show it.
It also puts off the casual bad actor. Someone who wants to cause trouble is less likely to bother with a step that needs a real person and a real dog in the same frame.
One layer among several
We want to be careful here. Proof of woof is not a guarantee about anyone's character, and it would be wrong for us to pretend otherwise. It is one layer of several:
- Everyone on Packmates is 18 or over.
- Everyone verifies their email address and phone number.
- Everyone takes a private Proof of woof photo.
- Organisers see each request and the dogs coming before they approve anyone.
- Meeting points are named public places, never home addresses.
- Any walk, message or photo can be reported, and blocking stops contact.
Used together, these make Packmates a more comfortable place to start. They do not replace your own judgement, which is always the most important layer. Our guide to meeting a stranger for a dog walk safely covers the common-sense side.
Taking the photo
It takes about a minute, and it is the sort of thing dogs have strong feelings about. A few tips from those of us who have wrestled a wriggly terrier into frame:
Choose a bright spot
Good light near a window or outdoors makes it easy to see you and your dog clearly.
Get your dog beside you
A treat held just above the camera helps. Sitting on the floor works better than standing for small dogs.
Include both faces if you can
The aim is simply to show a real person with a real dog, so there is no need for a perfect pose.
Take it in the app
The app asks you to capture it as part of joining, so there's nothing to upload from your camera roll.
If your dog is a bit camera-shy, be patient. A bad photo is no problem as long as it shows both of you. Nobody judges the lighting.
We know some people feel a flicker of unease about handing over any photo to an app, and that is a sensible instinct. So we would rather tell you plainly what it is for than leave you guessing. It exists to confirm one thing, and it is kept apart from the public side of Packmates.
What happens to your photo
Your Proof of woof photo is private. It is used to confirm there is a real person and a real dog, and for nothing else. If you decide to leave Packmates, you can delete your account from Profile in the app, which also deletes your private Proof of woof. The details are in our privacy notice.
If you have any questions or concerns about how we handle photos, our support page is the place to start.
Questions people ask
What if I have more than one dog?
You give each dog a profile, and the Proof of woof photo is a single selfie that shows you with a dog. You can add the rest of the gang to your profile afterwards.
Does it matter what my dog looks like?
Not at all. Fluffy, scruffy, enormous or tiny, any dog will do, as long as it is a real one and it is yours.
Why not just ask for an ID instead?
We would rather ask for something that is proportionate and quick, and that doesn't need anyone's passport. A selfie with your dog is a lighter step that still helps keep the noticeboard honest.
That's Proof of woof. One silly photo, kept private, doing a useful job. If you're ready to give it a go, see how beta access works. And if you'd like the wider picture first, start with how Packmates works.
